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When it comes to removing medical waste, it is important to understand that you cannot simply throw biomedical waste in a regular trash container to be taken to your local dump or landfill. In fact, medical waste has to be separated as it is being “thrown away” in special containers, which are usually color coded for easy identification. One of the main reasons for the pre-separation of medical waste is due to the nature in which it is treated and disposed of. What works for treating and disposing of one type of medical waste may not be okay for another type of medical waste.

In a previous article, the process of incineration was discussed. Though this process works for pathological and pharmaceutical waste, it is not the best solution for other medical waste such as sharps or infectious waste. WHAT IS AUTOCLAVING? In simple terms, autoclaving is steam sterilization, and it is used for about 90% of regulated medical waste. Medical waste is placed in the autoclave for a select amount of time. The high temperature of the steam is able to destroy any microorganisms that may exist. This allows the products left to be disposed of, and in some cases, recycled. THE PROS OF AUTOCLAVING MEDICAL WASTESince the autoclaving process uses steam instead of chemicals to destroy potentially harmful microorganisms, it is clean and environmentally safe. This is perhaps one of the main reasons that facilities choose the autoclaving process when it can be used. There are some instances when autoclaving should not be used. It should never be used to treat chemotherapy, pharmaceutical, or chemical waste.

Proper autoclaving processes also allow certain plastics to be recycled after being treated. Needles can be removed and plastics can be taken to a secondary treatment and processing facility to become recycled. WHY CHOOSE MANAGEMED AS YOUR MEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL COMPANYWhether you are a large hospital, a local dentist, a veterinary clinic or a private practice, Managemed Medical Waste Disposal can help you manage your bio-hazard waste stream.

Let Magagemed take the headache out of all of the laws and permits associated with medical waste removal and processing. Give us a call today at 844-383-8933 to get started. We are flexible, affordable, and offer a variety of services.